H.E.L.P. アフェレシスによる長引く虚血発作、バカンス後症候群、慢性疾患の治療

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスの利点は何ですか?

H.E.L.P. (Heparin-induced Extracorporeal LDL Precipitation) Apheresis is an extracorporeal (=outside of the patient’s body) blood treatment that has been in use for over 40 years with great success. It was initially developed as a treatment for microcirculation and blood flow issues and excess cholesterol. The treatments biggest strength is to resolve microcirculation and blood flow disorders whilst at the same time removing hundreds of pathogens, inflammation proteins, viral persistence/spike proteins and cholesterol+autoantibodies from the blood. 

Selected scientific sources and studies for H.E.L.P. Apheresis used in Long Covid/Post Vac and microcirculation/blood flow disorders in Long Covid as well as H.E.L.P. Apheresis resolving microcirculation and blood flow disorders:

‘During the H.E.L.P. Apheresis treatment numerous inflammatory mediators (CRP, cytokines, etc.) as well as any virus components/spike proteins present are filtered out. The cleaned blood is returned to the patient.

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスによってmicroclots が溶解し、ヘパリンと結合することによってスパイク蛋白が濾過されることが、ロングコビド患者において示されている。必要なアフェレーシスの回数は患者によって異なり、また症状の重さによっても異なる。

Microcirculation and blood flow disorders are an official indication of H.E.L.P. Apheresis.’

(出典:B.Braun Germany / B.Braun Switzerland)

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスはどのように作用するのか?

‘H.E.L.P. (heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation) apheresis is a treatment method that has been in use for decades and was initially developed as a treatment option for refractory lipid metabolism disorders. Over time, other medical indications were added that are a result of a microcirculation and blood flow disorder, such as idiopathic hearing loss and dry macular degeneration as well as Multiple Sclerosis.

During the H.E.L.P. procedure, the plasma is first of all separated from the other components that make up the blood. Heparin and an acetate buffer are then added, which lower the plasma’s pH. This changes the surface charge of LDL-C, Lp(a) and other substances, which leads to increased binding to the heparin used. In addition to LDL, the process also filters out various inflammatory mediators (CRP, cytokines, etc.) as well as any virus components or spike proteins present. The resulting precipitates are filtered out and subsequently removed from the plasma in circulation through the machine.’

‘The excess heparin is eliminated by adsorption. The physiologic pH is then restored by removing the buffer solution via dialysis. Finally, the purified blood is returned to the patient at the end of the treatment.

最近の文献によれば、健常人の血液サンプル中に推定されるmicroclots の形成は、スパイクタンパク質を添加することによって顕微鏡下で可視化することができる。これらのmicroclots はH.E.L.P. アフェレーシスによって溶解され、スパイク蛋白はヘパリンと結合することによって濾過されることが、ロングコビド患者においてすでに示されている。 

The number of rounds of apheresis required varies from patient to patient and also depends on the severity of the symptoms.’

ソースB.ブラウン 

ヘルプ アフェレーシスは、血液から以下の物質を除去/吸着する:

  • フィブリノゲン、その他の凝固因子、microclots (微小循環を20%増加させ、血液粘度を約10%低下させながら、細い血管を解放する。)
  • CRP、サイトカイン、ケモカインなどの炎症調節物質/タンパク質(炎症を抑える)
  • SarsCov2ウイルスとスパイクタンパク質/フラグメント(使用されたヘパリンと結合することにより)
  • 数百種類のタンパク質ベースの病原体
  • LDLおよびLp(a)コレステロール(内皮機能と線溶を改善する)+自己抗体が付着している。

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスと併用療法に関するプレゼンテーションの全文はこちらをご覧ください:

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H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスの発明者であるProf. Dr. med. h. c. Dietrich Seidelに関する詳しい情報は、こちらをご覧ください。Dr. h. c. Dietrich Seidelについてはこちらをご覧ください: 

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You will find extensive information on our blog post about different types of Apheresis and which type is suitable for which purpose HERE

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスによるSarsCov2スパイクタンパク質の減少

 H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスによる治療後のスパイク蛋白レベルの減少(pg/ml)。スパイクタンパク質の92%減少が観察された。(出典State of the ArtH.E.L.P. アフェレーシス:COVID-19、長期COVID、COVID-19ワクチン接種後症候群の管理の進歩)

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスによるMicroclots の減少

 Analysis of microclot-like structures from RT-DC measurements of 0.45 µl of whole blood. A-D. Bar plots of n = 16 patients (repeat samples were not received for three patients). A. Count of microclot-like structures per 0.45 µl of blood. B. Microclot-like structures expressed as a percentage of all measured events (blood cells and cell agglomerates). C. Projected area (µm²) of microclot-like structures. D. Standard deviation of the projected area (µm²) of microclot-like structures. (Source: State of the Art H.E.L.P. Apheresis: Advances in Management of COVID-19, Long COVID, and Post-COVID-19 Vaccination Syndrome)

Part One: Microclots inside of human blood vessels – graphic animation and explanation

Microclots長期の入院生活、休暇後の傷害、慢性疾患における高活性化血小板、内皮障害、炎症。出典:cgtn.com

第二部:H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスでmicroclots 、炎症、病原体、スパイクタンパク質を除去する方法

microclots 、長期入院、休暇後の怪我、慢性疾患におけるその他の病原菌を除去する。出典:cgtn.com

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Please email us at info@apheresiscenter.eu if you cannot find an answer to your question

科学的な研究や発表されている治療成功率はどこで見ることができますか?

Selected scientific sources and studies for H.E.L.P. Apheresis used in Long Covid/Post Vac and microcirculation/blood flow disorders in Long Covid as well as H.E.L.P. Apheresis resolving microcirculation and blood flow disorders:

ISFA 2023 (International Society for Apheresis World Conference)
Gavin Infectious Diseases Diagnosis & Treatment 
Researchgate
Springer
Frontiers
ScienceDirect
Therapheutic Apheresis and Dialysis
Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Springer Nature 
The American Journal of Medicine
PubMedCentral
Science

A collection of sources which have published success rates can be found at the Long Covid Apheresis Community (LCA Community): https://lcacommunity.org/research

The results published by the LCA Community have been confirmed at the ISFA2023:
ISFA 2023 (International Society for Apheresis World Conference)

H.E.L.P. アフェレシスと他のアフェレシスの違いは何ですか?また、なぜ長期臥床、休暇後症候群、慢性疾患に効果的なのですか?

You will find extensive information on our blog post about different types of Apheresis and which type is suitable for which purpose HERE

Apheresis means ‘separation/extraction’: A separation of the big blood parts (white and red blood cells and blood platelets) from the rest of the blood (plasma) and extraction of pathogens.

But that is where the similarities of HE.L.P. Apheresis with ANY OTHER type of apheresis end.

H.E.L.P. Apheresis is in fact a ‘live laboratory process’ in a machine circuit. 

Unlike any other form of apheresis it uses 400.000 units of heparin (heparan sulfate to be exact) in the extracorporeal machine circuit and it turns the blood plasma temporarily acidic to ensure the highest technically possible levels of selective pathogen adsorption in that environment. For one H.E.L.P. apheresis session 30 kilogram of one-use parts are used.

H.E.L.P. Apheresis is the ONLY type of apheresis specifically designed to resolve coagulation issues and interfere into the coagulation cascade. It increases microcirculation (blood flow in the small capillaries/blood vessels) by 20% whilst reducing the viscosity of the blood by 10% per session.

It is a highly selective (by means of adsorption – heparin precipitation) form of apheresis and has higher adsorption rates than any other form of apheresis. It does NOT use filtration (which is non-selective) but it uses adsorption/precipitation – this means it only takes out the pathogens (viruses/viral spike, bacteria, fungus, inflammation proteins, cholesterol+autoantibodies and hundreds of pathogens more) but leaves all other substances in the blood – hormones, messengers etc.

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスはどのような病気や疾患に対して使用され、成功を収めているのか?

H.E.L.P. Apheresis has been successfully applied for:

– Long Covid
– Post Vac Syndrome / Vaccine Injury
– ME/CFS
– Lyme
– Fibromyalgia
– Multiple Sclerosis
– Lupus
– Other illnesses where microcirculation issues/blood flow issues, viral or bacterial persistence, inflammation proteins, cholesterol+autoantibodies or toxins/pathogens are present

治療のために患者を受け入れる前に、どのような事前チェックが行われますか?

患者が必要条件を満たしている場合(これらはアンケートによって明らかにされる)、詳細な問診と評価が行われる。その目的は、症状の重症度を確認し、プラズマットフューチュラ装置の使用目的であるH.E.L.P. アフェレーシスを使用するための前提条件が満たされているかどうかを明確にすることである。

費用はどのくらいかかるのか?

現在、1回の治療費1685ユーロは患者の負担となっている。もちろん、患者が加入している健康保険会社に個別に申請し、費用を負担してもらうこともできる。

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシス治療は欧州の医療当局に認められていますか?

H.E.L.P. apheresis is recognised in the EU and Switzerland for the indication of microcirculation and blood flow disorders and several other indications. The Plasmat Futura machines used for H.E.L.P. are EMA licensed and CE certified. Clinical studies for H.E.L.P. Apheresis in Long Covid have been published:

Pub Med Central
Gavin Publishers

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスはどのロングコビッドの症状に効果があり、何回治療が必要ですか?

The symptoms of Long Covid are enormously varied. Any organ system can be affected. Treatments carried out so far suggest that many of these symptoms can be successfully treated by improving microcirculation/blood flow. The amount of treatments needed is individual (we see in average 5-6 H.E.L.P. treatments over the last years per patient). Whilst the content of the precipitation filter and heparin adsorber are not always helpful to identify if further treatments are meaningful, the latest study has shown that venous oxygen measurement is of great help for better treatment direction.

治療にリスクはありますか?

H.E.L.P. apheresis is generally very well tolerated and has few complications. As with any treatment, there are risks and side effects. However, these are very rare and easy to control. For example, there may be haematomas at the injection sites, a short-term so-called vasovagal reaction or temporary fatigue. From the 500.000 treatments undertaken in the last 30 years, over 200.000 have been scientifically documented – this makes H.E.L.P. one of the best researched and safest treatments there is. 

三種抗凝固療法とH.E.L.P. アフェレーシスの違いは何ですか?

Since 2023 we do offer Triple Anticoagulation Therapy for microcirculation and hyper-coagulation issues, but only under certain circumstances. The Triple Therapy needs constant monitoring of the blood to minimize the risk of (brain and gut) bleeding. A physical presence of the patient at the clinic of 3-4 months is therefore necessary. The often strong side effects from toxins and pathogens being released into the blood of the patient need to be controlled with steroids and antihistamines. We follow the original protocol that was published by Dr. Jaco Laubscher.

The differences between H.E.L.P. Apheresis and Triple Anticoagulation Therapy:

– If your local GP/PCP supports you and takes on the responsibility of constantly monitoring your blood while you are administered a combination of three anticoagulant medications at once (bleeding risk), the costs are lower than H.E.L.P. and you do not need to be present at the clinic for 3-4 months
– Patients often do suffer from constant side-effects of the Triple Therapy from toxins and pathogens being released into the blood. Steroids and antihistamines are a way to reduce them 
– H.E.L.P. Apheresis has a higher safety profile with over 30 years of scientific data behind it
– H.E.L.P. Apheresis does not only remove the microclots from the blood but also does remove inflammation, viral spike protein, cholesterol+autoantibodies and hundreds of pathogens and furthermore it reduces the viscosity of the blood around 10% per treatment and increases the microcirculation by 20% in total.

We do only recommend Triple Anticoagulation Therapy in first 6 months after infection/onset and/or if your local GP/PCP supports and monitors it. 

From our clinical experience H.E.L.P. Apheresis as part of the Combination Therapy is preferable and shows better results. The individually adapted Combination Therapy often does include anticoagulation and fibrinolytic protocols.

In Triple Therapy the body needs to deal with all the toxins and pathogens released from the microclots. Through H.E.L.P. Apheresis all toxins and pathogens are taken out of the blood by the apheresis machine and it furthermore does not only get rid of the microclots but does additionally remove inflammation proteins, viral spike protein, cholesterol+autoantibodies and hundreds of pathogens and reduces the viscosity of the blood around 10% per treatment whilst increasing the microcirculation by 20% in total. This means it has several modes of action instead of just a single mode like triple therapy.

アフェレーシス用カテーテルの長所と短所は?

Advantages:
– No stinging with needles required (sometimes with Long Covid damaged veins several tries with the needles despite ultrasound are needed, sometimes there can’t be any proper blood flow established, sometimes veins shrink under stress or from a bradykinin shock)
– No constant kneading of therapy/stress ball to maintain blood circulation at needed level needed (ideal if you have fatigue)
– No constant visibility of blood/needles (good if you have anxiety/fear of needles and blood)
– You don’t need to keep your arms with needles inside still for hours
– No risk of penetrating the backside of the vein if you accidentally lift your arms
– You can sleep during treatment
– You can go to toilet during treatment
– You don’t have to get needles placed for every treatment
– The blood flow volume is higher – 20% more efficiency, higher amount of plasma treated, shorter treatment duration, less burden on the body
– You can eat and watch a movie or even work on the laptop during treatment – your hands are free
– In case of low blood flow the catheter is closer at the bodies center (upper leg) that enables treatment even with lower blood pressure
– works as constant reminder so you will pace much better

Disadvantages:
– Cost of 1000 to 1100 Euros (depending on the size/make of the catheter – this ‘pays for itself’ after 4-5 treatments as with catheters in average 20-25% more plasma volume can be processed and the constant flow speed technically leads to a higher adsorption rate)
– Can feel inconvenient at times
– Restricted movement (max. a few hundred meters radius a day or less is recommended to avoid irritation of the vein) – but many patients reported in return it helped to pace well
– Medical risks: 4 in 100.000 will suffer from nerve damage/irritation next to the vein when the catheter is placed and the risk of clotting is increased (which can be minimized by the anticoagulants being administered and by not moving too much). In rare cases the exit point can get inflamed and antibiotics need to be administered, waterproof covers and special catheters avoid that very well.

For placement durations over 21 days the anti-pathogenic protect catheters we use avoid issues reliably (below 21 days classic catheters are used and if the duration unexpectedly increases, antibiotic treatment is applied for safety precautions). The protect coating creates a catheter surface with very good anti-pathogenic characteristics. The adhesion of bacteria, which is normally the starting point of a catheter-related bloodstream infection, is effectively prevented in this non-leaching catheters. Examples: brochure for download here and watch the video here (Source of both: B.Braun.com)


You can find explanation videos about H.E.L.P. Apheresis with apheresis needles access and with leg catheter access click here for videos

H.E.L.P. アフェレーシスによる長期コビド治療 ビデオ

H.E.L.P. Apheresis – How does it work? A simplified (non-medical) explanation. 

私たちの患者であるジェレミーは、H.E.L.P. アフェレーシス治療Nr.8を撮影することを許可してくれました。これは、人々が自分で治療を受ける前に、詳しく見ることができるようにするためです。私たちは物事を非常に単純化し、理解しやすい形で説明するよう努め、その代わり、見やすくするために医学的・科学的な正確さを少し犠牲にしました。

You find Jeremy’s interview about his treatment experience click here to see

カテーテルアクセスビデオ

H.E.L.P. 下肢カテーテルアクセスによるアフェレーシス

Our patient Stephen allowed us to film his H.E.L.P. Apheresis treatment, so that people can get an insight on how the treatment works with the use of a catheter (a special apheresis catheter is used if you have very small veins, bad/affected veins that make them inaccessible with apheresis needles, or in some cases if your apheresis needles keep getting blocked). You can find more information on catheters at the bottom of the in the FAQ section here

H.E.L.P. アフェレシス装置準備/プライミングビデオ

処理の約1時間前に、30キログラムの液体(NaCl、酢酸塩、重炭酸塩、ヘパラン硫酸塩)とパイプ、吸着器、フィルターを準備し、接続し、プラズマフューチュラマシンを洗浄し、テストし、準備し、すべてのポンプ、クランプ、センサー、電子機器が100%正確で作動するかどうかを確認するために、いくつかの機械的な自己テストを行う必要がある(このプロセスをプライミングと呼ぶ)。

ARTE TVドキュメンタリー「ロング・コヴィッド-キプロスの癒し

ARTE TV Documentary ‘Long Covid – Healing in Cyprus’ about our Apheresis Center

The documentary aired in June 2024. A team of journalists from European TV channel ARTE TV accompanied three of our Long Covid and Post Vac Syndrom patients and interviewed them and our team at the Apheresis Center. Here you can watch an excerpt of the documentary which is also easy to watch for patients with cognitive dysfunction, brainfog and related migraines. English audio by Dubly.

Since the documentary was filmed, new scientific findings have been made, you can find the latest studies published here

Markus has published a blog post here, where he describes the developments and updates since the documentary was filmed.